Vertical Multicompartment Reactor for Wastewater Purification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wastewater treatment systems with single-structured aeration tanks have short contact times between wastewater and air, leading to decreased contaminant degradation efficiency and increased costs due to larger tank sizes and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater purification system with a vertical multicompartment reactor, where the aeration tank is divided into multiple sections with swirling flow generation, allowing wastewater to flow vertically and in a zig-zag pattern, increasing contact time between air and wastewater through inclined or curved swirling flow induction plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-structured aeration tank is used, then the structure is simple, but the contact time between wastewater and air is short leading to decreased contaminant degradation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The aeration tank is divided into multiple compartments (first, second, third compartments) with different flow patterns. Each compartment contains specific structures (downflow distributors, upflow collectors, swirling flow generators) that create distinct hydraulic conditions. This segmentation allows wastewater to experience multiple flow regimes including downflow, upflow, and swirling flow, significantly increasing contact time between wastewater and air while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
2Quantity of substance
If the aeration tank capacity is increased to improve oxygen transfer rate, then oxygen transfer rate improves, but land acquisition costs and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic flow patterns including downflow, upflow, and swirling flow that actively enhance oxygen transfer efficiency. The swirling flow generators create rotational motion that increases gas-liquid contact efficiency, allowing higher oxygen transfer rates in a compact volume. The downflow distributors and upflow collectors dynamically manage fluid distribution to maximize oxygen absorption per unit volume
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes hydraulic parameters by creating multiple flow regimes (downflow velocity, upflow velocity, swirling flow rate) within the same tank volume. By adjusting flow rates and patterns rather than simply increasing tank size, the system achieves higher oxygen transfer rates. The swirling flow intensity and flow distribution patterns are optimized to enhance mass transfer efficiency without requiring proportional increases in tank capacity
3Quantity of substance
If air diffuser is added to generate micro-bubbles to improve oxygen transfer, then oxygen transfer rate improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic principles to generate natural downflow and upflow patterns through strategically placed distributors and collectors. Swirling flow generators utilize hydraulic pressure differentials to create rotational flow without mechanical energy input. This hydraulic approach replaces energy-intensive mechanical aeration systems while maintaining or improving oxygen transfer rates through enhanced natural convection and flow patterns
4Duration of action of moving object
If wastewater flows directly through the aeration tank, then the flow path is short, but contact time between wastewater and air is very short deteriorating degradation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The aeration tank is divided into multiple compartments (first, second, third compartments) with different flow patterns. Each compartment contains specific structures (downflow distributors, upflow collectors, swirling flow generators) that create distinct hydraulic conditions. This segmentation allows wastewater to experience multiple flow regimes including downflow, upflow, and swirling flow, significantly increasing contact time between wastewater and air
Solution Approach 2:
Swirling flow generators create rotational and curved flow paths within the wastewater stream. The curved trajectories increase the effective path length and contact time between wastewater and air without requiring a proportionally longer tank. The rotational motion enhances gas-liquid mixing and oxygen absorption efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design significantly enhances oxygen transfer rates and contaminant degradation efficiency, reducing the size of the aeration tank and associated costs such as land and construction expenses.
Implementation Method 1
generating swirling flow (or vortex) in multiple vertical compartments of an aeration tank
Implementation Method 2
equipped with an air diffuser at a lower portion thereof, in order to pass high oxygen concentration air through contaminants in the wastewater
Implementation Method 3
applying microorganisms which consume organic carbon as nutrients to remove BOD and/or COD-related organic materials from raw wastewater
Implementation Method 4
allowing organic nitrogen and/or ammonia to undergo nitritation and then be oxidized into nitrate-nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an purification system having vertical multi-compartment reactor for organic waste water, which generates swirling flow in respective sections while circulating wastewater vertically in respective wastewater treatment blocks in the system, so as to considerably increase contact time between air and the wastewater, thus greatly improving wastewater treatment efficiency. According to the system, a size of an aeration tank built in the wastewater purification system may be greatly decreased.